This message was shared with the students, faculty and staff of the 10-campus University of Hawaiʻi system on April 11, 2025.
Aloha UH ʻohana,
I am writing to provide a brief update on the growing impacts of recent changes in federal policy across our 10-campus system, starting with our financial outlook.
Fiscal planning
As shared in my March 28 message, UH leadership—including the vice presidents, chancellors and UH Mānoa provost—has been assessing the financial implications of federal funding losses.
So far at UH, 44 programs have been terminated, received stop-work orders, or are being phased out, affecting more than 39 employees and approximately $23.5 million in funding. We expect this number to grow. Campuses will likely need to use reserve funds to meet severance obligations for affected employees, as required by collective bargaining agreements and university policies.
Complicating our financial planning, there are many external factors in play that create uncertainty. It is expected that tariffs and other new economic policies may drive up inflation, resulting in higher operational costs. At the same time, there have been calls to increase interest rates in response to the broader debt market. Reductions in federal personnel and pauses in payments are creating extended waiting periods between invoice dates and reimbursements.
Thanks to strong fiscal management and longstanding state support, UH remains financially stable at this time. To ensure that service levels are maintained and that each campus continues to be stable as circumstances evolve, yesterday I directed campuses to review and update their financial contingency plans. We are implementing the following measures system wide:
- Hiring restrictions—To manage resources, all new hires funded by extramural awards, the Tuition and Fee Special Fund (TFSF), or the Research and Training Revolving Fund (RTRF) will require approval by the respective Chancellor, Provost, or Vice President. Hiring for permanent, general-funded positions may continue through the normal process.
- Travel expenditures—Effective immediately, travel must be limited to essential trips only, based on urgency, necessity, the traveler’s role, and the funding source. Final decisions will be made by the campus Chancellor, Provost, or Vice President.
- Consulting, professional services contracts—All consulting and professional services contracts must be carefully reviewed. Renewals or extensions exceeding $100,000 per year require Chancellor, Provost, or Vice President approval, and contracts exceeding $250,000 per year require presidential approval.
We remain committed to responding thoughtfully and implementing only the necessary restrictions as this situation evolves, always keeping our focus on our students and their ability to achieve their educational goals, whatever else is happening in the world. Additional measures may be needed as the impact of federal policy changes becomes clearer, but in the meantime, we are working together to not just sustain the UH campuses through this period, but to strategize regarding how we might take this opportunity to improve our resilience and use to our students and our community.
International student visas
You may have seen national reports about visa challenges facing international students, and unfortunately, UH is not immune to these impacts. As of today, a few of our students have had their visas revoked. University officials are working directly with the affected students to provide information and support and connect them with available resources.
Our more than 1,700 international students, along with our international scholars and faculty, are valued members of the UH ʻohana. While visa decisions are made by federal authorities and beyond our control, we are doing everything possible to offer guidance and care.
To support our community, the UH Federal Policy Updates and Resource Webpage now includes FAQs for international students and FAQs on immigration enforcement. There have been no reports of any immigration actions on our campuses to date.
Resources for international student services and mental health support for all students and employees can also be found on the updates and resource webpage.
We are closely monitoring the situation and will continue to update the site with federal policy developments and new resources.
Moving forward
I continue to meet regularly with the leadership team and the Presidential Advisory Council on Federal Policy, which includes broad representation from across our UH ʻohana. I thank them for their guidance, which is helping to shape a strategic, transparent and collaborative response. I will continue to provide regular updates as federal policy evolves and this work progresses.
Mahalo for your continued dedication and resilience, and for continuing to care for each other. Together, we will navigate these challenges and uphold the values that define our UH ʻohana.
With aloha,
Wendy Hensel
UH President
